Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-05-12
COUNTING THE COST.
Practical Suggestions That May Aid Man,
in Solving Domestic Problems

Practical Suggestions That May Aid Many
in Solving Domestic Problems.
There are many ways of entering
upon certain courses of action. One
is to be led by ones friends. Another
is to follow ones impulses. Another
is deliberately to count the cost and
then determine just what to do. All
three methods are good in their way
and for certain ends necessary. The
first is perhaps most common. Parents
have pretty definite views of what they
would like their children to do and to-
be and endeavOr to lead them in GER
tain paths, and most children are will
ing to be led. The majority of men
and women are like sheep. They fol-
low their leader. If one goes over the
precipice, all the rest follow. If one
strong man invests largely in Ger
tain stocks all his ''set' follow suit. If
the chief woman in little town calls
on the new conner. every body calls on
her. that is, most every body.
Those who follow their impulses
sometimes accomplish what they wish
and oftener do not. A good deal is
pardOned to good intentions. A good
impulse acted upon at the wrong time
may get one into as certain trouble rs
though the impulse had been bad. En-
terprises founded on impulse are like
houses built upon the sand. Sand is
all very well to fill in and grade with.
but it does not make firm foundation.
When the winds blow and the floods
come, the house falls. There are u.
great many people who upon impulse
and without adequate preparation be-
gin some undertaking they are only
partly able to carry out, and when
they begin to founder and 90 under,
implore this friend and that one to.
hasten to their rescue and save them
from perishing. How many men have
lost every thing by indorsing for their
friends in the vain endeavor to save
them. Impulses have their use, but
they can not be trusted with the reins-
OF government any more than Phaethon
could with the chariot of the sun. I'm
pulses must be restrained and guided
by principle. or they will pcrpetually
get one into trouble. Parents can do.
much to regulate and direct the i'm
pulses of their children by steadfastly-
pointing cut to them the results OF
obedience TO impulse rather than to-
definite and well understood principles
of action. 1t takes a great deal more
than good impulses to insure lasting
success. Principle prepares the ground
SO that seed sown by impulse or other
wise are not choked by the th0rns:
springing up.
Those who sit down and count the
probable cost of a new enterprise, ants-
then deliberately enter into it, are most,
likely to accomplish what they UNDER
take. If it is only the making of q.
garment, one must have a pattern.
needles. thread. ETC., or the work can.
not be done. If it is the making of
. cake. there must be sugar and butter
and eggs and spice and fire to bake
with But there are multitudes of peo-
pie who habitually trust TO borrowing
rom some friend one or two or more Of
he very essentials required in doing
he work they undertake. 1t il no.
charity. it is an injury to the persons
Inns borrowing to lend to them. They
should be compelled to learn the value-
# commodities by providing them or
" going without them. indulgence
.nly confirms IN evil habit-M 7.
Tribune.